So, we have all our shopping done and still NO Christmas tree. There are a few reasons why... and not because we don't want one, because we do. First, we have a 13 month old who loves all things shiny! Second, my hubby wants a real tree and this costs money and added time having to go, cut it, and bring it home.Thirdly, my house is TRASHED! Where I want to put a tree, out of the way of little curious fingers, is the dining room, in the corner. But, I can't seem to get around to actually cleaning the area and placing the tree.
So, I have come to this conclusion: Since we stay at my in-laws on Christmas Eve and wake up to do Christmas there and since we don't give our kids their gifts until New Years Eve and Day, that we don't need a tree this year. I will work harder to get a tree up next year, but this year I refuse to stress about it.
So, why do we wait until New Years Eve and Day to give our children their gifts? Well, because we want to do our best to stress the importance of Christ at this wonderful time of the year. They also get gifts from everyone else on Christmas, they would explode with gifts if we gave them their gifts from us as well. We also make it a point to remind them that Santa Claus is a great story but that Santa isn't real. Now, I know some of you are thinking that we are horrible for not letting our children have an imagination, but that is not true. We watch all the fun movies like Santa's Coming To Town and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (actually we own that one and it is watch all year round, driving me crazy!). We want the kids to know what Christmas really means, to us as Christians, and also the importance of giving. We encourage them to purchase gifts for others. We participate in Operation Christmas Child every year. This teaches the kids how to be selfless and not selfish.
I pray that you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Remember that this time of year is all about gathering with family and friends and sharing with each other.
Luke 2:8-12
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Blessings!
~Lil*Mama~
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Things I Don't Do and Won't Feel Guilty About It!
Have you ever looked at another mother and thought to yourself "WOW! She can do it all! I wish my house was as clean as her's. I wish my garden was as pretty as her's. I wish we could afford to shop at the mall or I wish I was clever enough to shop at Goodwill and find all the great bargains. I wish I had patience to do crafts or cook with my kids. I wish I got up before the butt crack of dawn and exercised, had my quiet time, and now am on my 3rd pot of coffee."?
Well, STOP! Not every mother is the same! God created us to be different. I mean, really, how boring would it be to be the same and do the same and look the same. Oh man, that would get old real fast!
So, I stumbled upon a great blog that if you don't already follow her, you should. The blog is called The Diaper Diaries. Check it out. But there was a specific blog post that I stumbled upon that got me all excited. That post is called Top Ten Tuesdays-Top Ten Things I Don't Do. After reading this post I was ready to relief myself of any guilt I had of the things that I don't do.
So, below is my list of things I don't do. I only have 8, I haven't come up with 2 more, but maybe I will soon. Anyway, I encourage you to read the blog post mentioned above and make your own list of things you don't do. It's okay to not be the mom that seems to do it all. My mom was the mom that had it all together, so I thought, but I learned as I became a woman that even my mom had some things that just weren't all together. So, be encouraged that you are not the only mother that has those crazy days and tough spots to go through. We all have that in our life!
So, here is my list:
Well, STOP! Not every mother is the same! God created us to be different. I mean, really, how boring would it be to be the same and do the same and look the same. Oh man, that would get old real fast!
So, I stumbled upon a great blog that if you don't already follow her, you should. The blog is called The Diaper Diaries. Check it out. But there was a specific blog post that I stumbled upon that got me all excited. That post is called Top Ten Tuesdays-Top Ten Things I Don't Do. After reading this post I was ready to relief myself of any guilt I had of the things that I don't do.
So, below is my list of things I don't do. I only have 8, I haven't come up with 2 more, but maybe I will soon. Anyway, I encourage you to read the blog post mentioned above and make your own list of things you don't do. It's okay to not be the mom that seems to do it all. My mom was the mom that had it all together, so I thought, but I learned as I became a woman that even my mom had some things that just weren't all together. So, be encouraged that you are not the only mother that has those crazy days and tough spots to go through. We all have that in our life!
So, here is my list:
1. Garden: My mom is a gardener. I remember helping her when I was a little girl and most of the time I loved it. Now as an adult, I would love to have beautiful flowers for all who drive by to say “oooh and aaaah” over but really, I have three small children and if I can’t hardly get the dishes done then there is no way that flowers are going to be at the top of my list. 
2. Shopping at the mall: I used to hate this when I was a child/teenager because my mom would drag me to goodwill all the time and I almost despised her because of it, not quite though. Nowadays, I don’t shop at goodwill on a regular basis, I generally go to Walmart and garage sales, but I do go to goodwill and find some great deals!
3. Dust: My mom was a stickler for dusting when I was growing up and I hated that! But her house was always amazingly looking great! After you have picked up the same room and the same toys hundreds of times, the dusting is not that big of an importance!
4. Anything before 8 am: I love my sleep! I only get up because I have kids. If I didn’t have children I would sleep and sleep and sleep and stuff my face in between! lol I would love to get up before the crack of dawn and exercise, have a quiet time, and get half the house chores done but again, I LOVE to sleep! My mother was great for this one, she was always up at like 5 am and by the time I rolled out of bed she was on her 3rd pot of coffee (okay not sure it was her 3rd pot of coffee but whatever!)
5. Exercise on a regular basis: I would love to have a regular routine of exercising, my mother again was great with this one, but wow! My life changes so much from one minute to the next. Well, maybe having a schedule would help with that, but yeah know, I am just not there yet!
6. Cooking/Baking with my kids: That is a great Grandma activity! I do not have the patience to have my babies in my small kitchen with me always under my feet. I do my best to let them help with mac n cheese but I usually have the mentality that “I can do this quicker without you under my feet, so please stay out of my way”.
7. Crafts with my kids: Again another great Grandma activity. I love crafts! I love to scrapbook, umm, when I find time! But I hate cleaning up my own mess from the crafts, why do I want to clean up 10 times more of a mess. Now, don’t get me wrong, we color and draw and stuff like that. I am talking about crafts that have glitter and glue and messy things like that! However we are going to make cute little Gobble Gobble Plate Cards for Thanksgiving dinner and there are 7 materials on this list. Check it out here http://www.scholastic.com/parents and in the search bar put Gobble Gobble Place Card.
8. Make a monthly menu: My husband wants to do this and really so do I but it takes so much brain power to do it. I am sure that it would help us out tremendously but I just haven’t found a good system that works.
Now, I know it sounds like I don't want to be my mother, but that isn't true. When I grow up I wanna be just like my mom! I admire her so much!
So, now, go make your list and feel liberated!
As always, I pray this post finds you happy and healthy. God bless you and your family!
~Lil*Mama~
Follow my blog with bloglovinThursday, November 11, 2010
Karate Kid
I remember when I was a little kid watching the Karate Kid movies. Now my children get the privileged to watch the newest addition to the Karate Kid movies.
The newest Karate Kid is staring none other than Will Smith's cute and adorable son, Jaden Smith. And none other than the world renown Jackie Chan. Watch the trailer here.
I wanted so badly to take my 6 year old son to see this movie in theater but we didn't have the money at the time. So as soon as I could I put it on my list at Netflix and then I waited patiently for it to arrive. When it finally did arrive I was so stoked! I knew my son would love this movie. I just had a feeling that it would be loved by all of us.
Every week we have at least one night as "Family Night" (sometimes 2 nights or as many as we can!). We set up a kids table in the living room and we (yes I know what you are going to think here) eat in front of the TV while we watch our family friendly movie.
This movie effected each and every family member. We kept it for 3 days and watched it 3 times and then sent it back to Netflix. I told my husband, "We need to buy that movie for Christmas" and he gladly agreed.
There are a few swear words in this movie but other then that, I think its great and I recommend it. If you have young children you may want to watch it first just to make sure that you are okay with some of the content, but really, its a great movie.
As always, I hope that this post finds you happy and healthy. May God bless you in a very special way today!
~Lil*Mama~
The newest Karate Kid is staring none other than Will Smith's cute and adorable son, Jaden Smith. And none other than the world renown Jackie Chan. Watch the trailer here.
I wanted so badly to take my 6 year old son to see this movie in theater but we didn't have the money at the time. So as soon as I could I put it on my list at Netflix and then I waited patiently for it to arrive. When it finally did arrive I was so stoked! I knew my son would love this movie. I just had a feeling that it would be loved by all of us.
Every week we have at least one night as "Family Night" (sometimes 2 nights or as many as we can!). We set up a kids table in the living room and we (yes I know what you are going to think here) eat in front of the TV while we watch our family friendly movie.
This movie effected each and every family member. We kept it for 3 days and watched it 3 times and then sent it back to Netflix. I told my husband, "We need to buy that movie for Christmas" and he gladly agreed.
There are a few swear words in this movie but other then that, I think its great and I recommend it. If you have young children you may want to watch it first just to make sure that you are okay with some of the content, but really, its a great movie.
As always, I hope that this post finds you happy and healthy. May God bless you in a very special way today!
~Lil*Mama~
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Does your past determine your credibility as a mother?
Recently I got into a discussion via facebook that landed me being judged by my past. Here is my past: I dropped out of high school when I was 16 or 17, can't remember exactly. I moved out when I was 17, moved back in when I was 18, moved back out before I was 18 1/2 and had a baby when I was 19. I was not married and I was into smoking pot. I was also an exotic dancer, before I was pregnant and afterwards. When my baby was 7 months old my boyfriend and I started using Meth. When my baby was 9 months old, CPS got involved, removed my son and gave temporary custody to my parents. I immediately started doing what I needed to do but I was still trying to hold on to the man that was my baby's father, all the mean while he was cheating on me. After I got pregnant again, only 6 months after my son was taken by CPS, I said "forget this! I don't want to lose another baby because I am trying to hold on to this jerk who is doing nothing but holding me back". So I left and went to my dad's house. he took me to a shelter and said "get your act together then you can come home". I had a choice. I could have went back to my old ways or I could turn and knock on the door that would save my life. I knocked on that door and sure enough, with a little hard work I got out of my crappy hole that I dug. Now 5 1/2 almost 6 years later, I have my son back, I have my daughter, I have another daughter, and I am married to the most amazing man in the whole entire world. I am clean, I have given my life to God, I work with the youth group, and I work with Teen MOPS.
Now, because of my past in an email I was told this: "If you had your child/children taken away by cps (it takes alot to have a child removed from the home and more than one istance) then you are no model mother (no offence just sayin) and should NOT be posting stuff like that. I don't care how long cps has not been involved because by far that is a horrible thing,"
Okay, so I am sure you are wondering what the "should not be posting stuff like that" is. I posted some links on facebook about a couple of mothers who allow their sons to dress in girl clothing. One mother wrote the blog My Son is Gay and the other mother wrote the book My Princess Boy. And you can probably guess the discussion that came from that! PHEW!
But I guess my question is.... Does my past really determine my credibility as a mother? I mean really, if I was still doing drugs and all my children were being taken care of by someone else because I was selfish like that, then yes, i can see where I would not be a model mother. But, because I have learned from my mistakes, doesn't that give me some credibility? I mean, am I completely exempt from having an opinion on mothering because of my past? My past is my past.
What are your thoughts?
~Lil*Mama~
Now, because of my past in an email I was told this: "If you had your child/children taken away by cps (it takes alot to have a child removed from the home and more than one istance) then you are no model mother (no offence just sayin) and should NOT be posting stuff like that. I don't care how long cps has not been involved because by far that is a horrible thing,"
Okay, so I am sure you are wondering what the "should not be posting stuff like that" is. I posted some links on facebook about a couple of mothers who allow their sons to dress in girl clothing. One mother wrote the blog My Son is Gay and the other mother wrote the book My Princess Boy. And you can probably guess the discussion that came from that! PHEW!
But I guess my question is.... Does my past really determine my credibility as a mother? I mean really, if I was still doing drugs and all my children were being taken care of by someone else because I was selfish like that, then yes, i can see where I would not be a model mother. But, because I have learned from my mistakes, doesn't that give me some credibility? I mean, am I completely exempt from having an opinion on mothering because of my past? My past is my past.
What are your thoughts?
~Lil*Mama~
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Do you love to scrapbook? I DO!
I want to know what you are working on right now? Right now I am still working on my 6 yr old's scrapbook. I haven't quite made it to his FIRST birthday! It is hard for me to get to my scrapbooking. Do yo have a room with a table to scrapbook on? All organized and stuff? I don't! That is something that I am making a stipulation for our next home. I want a room just for me and my craft stuff! I hate having to get it all out and then put it all back. I spend more time getting it out and taking care of it than I do actually working on anything. So, what about you?
Do you have a scrapbook company that you buy all your supplies from? who? or do you just go to the store? Do you like to host scrapbook parties? Have you ever? Would you? If you do want to... would you for me? Even a book party would be great. I love to order supplies from everywhere! Every time I go to Walmart I head to the craft area and I like to splurge on the $1 stickers! Do you have a favorite thing like that?
Happy Scrapping!
~Lil*Mama~
Do you have a scrapbook company that you buy all your supplies from? who? or do you just go to the store? Do you like to host scrapbook parties? Have you ever? Would you? If you do want to... would you for me? Even a book party would be great. I love to order supplies from everywhere! Every time I go to Walmart I head to the craft area and I like to splurge on the $1 stickers! Do you have a favorite thing like that?
Happy Scrapping!
~Lil*Mama~
Sunday, August 8, 2010
SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE! WHAT?! Teaching TRUE LOVE to a SEX-AT-13 Generation!
I ran into some interesting drama with my children's father's wife this last week. Got to love "baby mama drama" fun! This is one of the reasons why I stress so much to young students that I work with at the youth group that sex before marriage is only a disaster waiting to happen. There is a reason why God intended sex to be confined to the marriage of two people only. And not just that... it is a good idea to have a biblical based marriage as well.
I have read books about purity, for one, because I have three children and they will be teenagers at some point in their lives, no matter how hard I pray that they either never grow up or just skip the teenage years. But also because I work with teen moms and with our youth group at our church. One book in particular is called "Teaching True Love to a Sex-at-13 Generation" written by Eric and Leslie Ludy. This is the book written for the adults in teenagers lives. I believe that this book is the key to success when teaching our kids about purity. It isn't your typical purity spiel where they go over every STD and the fact that you could get pregnant and try to scare the teenager into purity. Not that these facts are not important because by all means they certainly are, but I will argue the point that these facts seem to be all that are stressed when it comes to purity.
This book brings another point of view to the surface. It speaks of purity of our hearts, minds, bodies, and spirituality. Usually you only hear of the physical purity aspect of it and people don't think about our hearts, minds, and spirit as a treasure for our future spouse.
When I read this book I started to take notes but I am not a note taker so I stopped after the first chapter. I want to share with you some of the notes that I took.
*Young people today are pouring themselves physically and emotionally into intense relationships that last only a few days, weeks, or months, but leave scars that last a lifetime. (pg. 83)
*Emotional and physical passion controls the relationship not the Author of true love. Colossians 2:20-23 " Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence."
*Being faithful today lays an amazing foundation of trust and faithfulness in your marriage.
*Proverbs 31:12 "She brings him good, not harm, ALL the days of her life" (emphasis on my behalf)
*This book speaks of writing letters, poems, or songs to your future spouse and giving them as a gift on your wedding night.
*Did you know that a recent study found that Christians actually have a higher rate of divorce than nonbelievers? (Pg. 77) How crazy is that! Here is why: When two Christian people get married they generally assume that the other will be faithful, because they are a Christian. When we say "I do" it is assumed that the other will be faithful to us for the rest of their lives and our's. However, the fact of the matter is, faithfulness does not just come with marriage. Faithfulness is something that needs to be taught to us. It is our job as parents to teach our children what faithfulness is and what it looks like. Just because you are a Christian does not mean you know what faithfulness is.
These are just a few of the wonderful things that this book has to offer!
I am currently readying Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy and my husband is reading God's Gift To Women by Eric Ludy. I feel that this couple, Eric and Leslie Ludy, have a message that has been long forgotten about in our world. Something that disappeared with the horse and buggy and the long dresses and bonnets. Something that only we, as parents and leaders of the youth today, can restore. Purity isn't just about our physical virginity. Purity includes our entire body; emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually.
I had two children outside of wedlock. I was 19 when my first child, a boy, was born. I was 21 when my second child, a girl, was born. My daughter and her half sister are 6 months apart! Their father has an addiction to drugs and alcohol. He can't seem to stay in one place long enough to really call it a home. He comes and goes when it is convenient for him. He even disappeared for a year and 3 months, all the mean while, being seen around town at the local gas station. His actions scream loud and clear that his drugs, alcohol, and his other two children are far more important to him than the two children he has with me. I created a sad world for my children. And all because I wanted to be selfish! I was more concerned with what made me feel good at the time and gave NO thought to what my actions would do to my future or someone else's. I now have an amazing husband and my third child, a girl, is 11 months old. My children call him "daddy" because he is what a "daddy" is supposed to be. However, this does not change the heart ache that my two oldest children face and what they will face as they continue to grow and learn the truth.
I see teen moms and my heart aches for them. I hear what they are going through and I just cry inside for them. I sob for their children and what they will be put through. I go to youth group every week and I see my young ladies and I just pray that my story, my testimony, and my encouragement will persuade them to take a different path. If there is one thing that I want from this blog post is that whoever reads this will go and pick up a copy of "Teaching True Love To a Sex-at-13 Generation" and read it today.
~Lil* Mama~
I have read books about purity, for one, because I have three children and they will be teenagers at some point in their lives, no matter how hard I pray that they either never grow up or just skip the teenage years. But also because I work with teen moms and with our youth group at our church. One book in particular is called "Teaching True Love to a Sex-at-13 Generation" written by Eric and Leslie Ludy. This is the book written for the adults in teenagers lives. I believe that this book is the key to success when teaching our kids about purity. It isn't your typical purity spiel where they go over every STD and the fact that you could get pregnant and try to scare the teenager into purity. Not that these facts are not important because by all means they certainly are, but I will argue the point that these facts seem to be all that are stressed when it comes to purity.
This book brings another point of view to the surface. It speaks of purity of our hearts, minds, bodies, and spirituality. Usually you only hear of the physical purity aspect of it and people don't think about our hearts, minds, and spirit as a treasure for our future spouse.
When I read this book I started to take notes but I am not a note taker so I stopped after the first chapter. I want to share with you some of the notes that I took.
*Young people today are pouring themselves physically and emotionally into intense relationships that last only a few days, weeks, or months, but leave scars that last a lifetime. (pg. 83)
*Emotional and physical passion controls the relationship not the Author of true love. Colossians 2:20-23 " Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence."
*Being faithful today lays an amazing foundation of trust and faithfulness in your marriage.
*Proverbs 31:12 "She brings him good, not harm, ALL the days of her life" (emphasis on my behalf)
*This book speaks of writing letters, poems, or songs to your future spouse and giving them as a gift on your wedding night.
*Did you know that a recent study found that Christians actually have a higher rate of divorce than nonbelievers? (Pg. 77) How crazy is that! Here is why: When two Christian people get married they generally assume that the other will be faithful, because they are a Christian. When we say "I do" it is assumed that the other will be faithful to us for the rest of their lives and our's. However, the fact of the matter is, faithfulness does not just come with marriage. Faithfulness is something that needs to be taught to us. It is our job as parents to teach our children what faithfulness is and what it looks like. Just because you are a Christian does not mean you know what faithfulness is.
These are just a few of the wonderful things that this book has to offer!
I am currently readying Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy and my husband is reading God's Gift To Women by Eric Ludy. I feel that this couple, Eric and Leslie Ludy, have a message that has been long forgotten about in our world. Something that disappeared with the horse and buggy and the long dresses and bonnets. Something that only we, as parents and leaders of the youth today, can restore. Purity isn't just about our physical virginity. Purity includes our entire body; emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually.
I had two children outside of wedlock. I was 19 when my first child, a boy, was born. I was 21 when my second child, a girl, was born. My daughter and her half sister are 6 months apart! Their father has an addiction to drugs and alcohol. He can't seem to stay in one place long enough to really call it a home. He comes and goes when it is convenient for him. He even disappeared for a year and 3 months, all the mean while, being seen around town at the local gas station. His actions scream loud and clear that his drugs, alcohol, and his other two children are far more important to him than the two children he has with me. I created a sad world for my children. And all because I wanted to be selfish! I was more concerned with what made me feel good at the time and gave NO thought to what my actions would do to my future or someone else's. I now have an amazing husband and my third child, a girl, is 11 months old. My children call him "daddy" because he is what a "daddy" is supposed to be. However, this does not change the heart ache that my two oldest children face and what they will face as they continue to grow and learn the truth.
I see teen moms and my heart aches for them. I hear what they are going through and I just cry inside for them. I sob for their children and what they will be put through. I go to youth group every week and I see my young ladies and I just pray that my story, my testimony, and my encouragement will persuade them to take a different path. If there is one thing that I want from this blog post is that whoever reads this will go and pick up a copy of "Teaching True Love To a Sex-at-13 Generation" and read it today.
~Lil* Mama~
Friday, July 16, 2010
How I Keep Up With The Kids, Husband, and Housework...
If there was one thing that I could change about my life it would be all the housework that seems to linger over my head no matter how much I work at it. It never goes away! Does it go away for you?
I wake up in the morning, stumble down the stairs (literally), look around and think "oh man, I just need to crawl back in bed and pray that God will send me a maid to surprise me with a clean house!". Sometimes I get really discouraged by all of the clutter. The toys that I step on daily... I end up throwing them away reminding myself that my children have enough and they will never, and I mean NEVER miss that toy. The goal about throwing away toys or even school work that, mind you, is the same word written over and over again that you also got a copy of last week, is to make sure to bury it deep down in the trash can so they cannot see it when they throw something away.
So, as I am typing this I am thinking about the laundry that I need to finish folding. Never mind the laundry that is still in the washer and dryer that needs to be switched and folded. Oh yeah, don't forget the dirty laundry that still needs to be washed. :) This morning, I cleaned the kitchen, all but sweeping and mopping. I got dinner in the crock pot... steak fajitas, YUM!
So, how do I do it with 3 children 6 and younger, a husband that has ADHD and explodes when he walks in the door and can't remember when I ask him to do something, keep up on school work, and do all the housework?
Well, first of all, a confession of mine, school work NEVER takes precedence over anything else. That is unfortunate of course, but I have been going to school for 3 yrs and I am quite burnt out. I am nowhere near my degree so I am finishing up this summer session than taking a break.
All the other stuff... I pray! I try to do as much as I can when Liesl, my 8 month old, is entertaining herself or napping. My two older children, Dominik 6, and Kyra-Raine 4 watch movies/T.V., play in the toy room, and play outside. This gives me some time to focus on the dishes, laundry, and picking up the clutter. When my husband, David, comes home I ask him politely to put his shoes on the front porch, pick up his work back and set it somewhere out of the "middle of the road". I try to have an empty dishwasher so when we are finished with dinner we can immediately clean off the table and do a load of dishes.
I am by no means an expert at keeping my house de-cluttered and clean. I am still learning, even as I sit here and type. One website that I like is called www.flylady.com this is a fun way to keep your home clean. Check it out!
I want to hear from you! How do you do it? How do you keep from pulling your hair out, getting a shovel and throwing it all away?
I pray that this blog post finds you happy, healthy, and keeping cool or warm, depending on where you live! :) Take care and God Bless!
~Erin~
I wake up in the morning, stumble down the stairs (literally), look around and think "oh man, I just need to crawl back in bed and pray that God will send me a maid to surprise me with a clean house!". Sometimes I get really discouraged by all of the clutter. The toys that I step on daily... I end up throwing them away reminding myself that my children have enough and they will never, and I mean NEVER miss that toy. The goal about throwing away toys or even school work that, mind you, is the same word written over and over again that you also got a copy of last week, is to make sure to bury it deep down in the trash can so they cannot see it when they throw something away.
So, as I am typing this I am thinking about the laundry that I need to finish folding. Never mind the laundry that is still in the washer and dryer that needs to be switched and folded. Oh yeah, don't forget the dirty laundry that still needs to be washed. :) This morning, I cleaned the kitchen, all but sweeping and mopping. I got dinner in the crock pot... steak fajitas, YUM!
So, how do I do it with 3 children 6 and younger, a husband that has ADHD and explodes when he walks in the door and can't remember when I ask him to do something, keep up on school work, and do all the housework?
Well, first of all, a confession of mine, school work NEVER takes precedence over anything else. That is unfortunate of course, but I have been going to school for 3 yrs and I am quite burnt out. I am nowhere near my degree so I am finishing up this summer session than taking a break.
All the other stuff... I pray! I try to do as much as I can when Liesl, my 8 month old, is entertaining herself or napping. My two older children, Dominik 6, and Kyra-Raine 4 watch movies/T.V., play in the toy room, and play outside. This gives me some time to focus on the dishes, laundry, and picking up the clutter. When my husband, David, comes home I ask him politely to put his shoes on the front porch, pick up his work back and set it somewhere out of the "middle of the road". I try to have an empty dishwasher so when we are finished with dinner we can immediately clean off the table and do a load of dishes.
I am by no means an expert at keeping my house de-cluttered and clean. I am still learning, even as I sit here and type. One website that I like is called www.flylady.com this is a fun way to keep your home clean. Check it out!
I want to hear from you! How do you do it? How do you keep from pulling your hair out, getting a shovel and throwing it all away?
I pray that this blog post finds you happy, healthy, and keeping cool or warm, depending on where you live! :) Take care and God Bless!
~Erin~
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)